SHREVEPORTThe Centenary men’s basketball team will face UMKC on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. in Kansas City in a crucial Summit League match up. The Gents are in a tight race to make the tournament, as they only have four regular season games left.

Centenary (7-19, 5-9 Summit) is looking to snap a five game skid and find a way to pull of its first win in the month of February. The Gents are coming off a heart-breaking loss to Western Illinois last Saturday in the Gold Dome, as late-game free throws propelled the Leathernecks to victory. Centenary fell 55-54 and managed to only connect on 4-of-17 from behind the arch for a 23.5 percent performance. Chase Adams led the Gents with 13 points and seven rebounds.

On the season, senior Nick Stallings continues to move up the record books in points, while pacing the Centenary offense with 15.8 points per game. He also leads the team with 6.2 boards a contest. Adams follows him with 14.8 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. Gary Redus II chips in with 11.5 a game.

UMKC (6-21, 2-12 Summit) hasn’t had much success of late, dropping its last eight league games. The most recent came on Saturday, as the Kangaroos fell 76-66 to South DakotaState on the road. In that game, Latreze Mushatt led with 18 points, but the team lacked the shooting touch from deep, only sinking 2-of-12 from the three point line.

Dane Brumagin is leading UMKC with 16.1 points a game, while Reggie Hamilton adds 12.6 to the offense. Meanwhile, Spencer Johnson contributes both offensively with 10.7 points a game and on the boards with 6.7 each contest.

Centenary is averaging 62.8 points a game this season and 29.8 rebounds. Its 8.9 steals and 7.7 three-point field goals continue to remain atop the league. Meanwhile, UMKC is pouring in 63.9 points a contest and pulling down 32.4 rebounds each game.

UMKC leads the all-time series, 8-4 over Centenary since the 1987 season. The Gents were able to win the last meeting over the Kangaroos in an 83-75 decision in the Gold Dome on Jan. 24. That game marked the last win for Centenary coming into Thursday’s contest. The Gents connected on 7-of-11 from behind the arch for 57 percent. Adams and Lance Hill led with 19 and 18 points respectively. James Humphrey had 16 for UMKC.

For all live action, tune in locally to KSCL 91.3 FM and www.GoCentenary.com. Following this game, the Gents will be back in action on Saturday at Southern Utah.